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When requested during the full disk encryption process, one option is to store the recovery key in your iCloud account.

I stored mine in iCloud, but frankly I'm confused as when I look at the drive contents I see NO files even indicating a recovery key.

So what exactly is happening? Also, how is this used during the recovery process?

Also, if you put your recovery key in iCloud, how is more than one device handled (i.e. macbooks)?

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  • The first part of your question is rather opinion based. Do you trust Apple?
    – n1000
    Commented May 27, 2015 at 19:06
  • True, but being a Mac Newbie, I'm not in full understanding of how the iCloud option really works.
    – mdpc
    Commented May 27, 2015 at 19:09
  • So maybe you should ask that instead?
    – n1000
    Commented May 27, 2015 at 19:10
  • Even if the recovery key is accessible via iCloud Drive (would be extremely surprised if it was) and not just stored somewhere on Apple's server attached to your overall iCloud account, it would be a hidden file. Hidden files are not visible in Finder or really anywhere on your Mac, unless you take specific actions to enable viewing them. (The only exception is in Terminal, if you use ls -a instead of just ls to list a directory's contents.)
    – tubedogg
    Commented May 28, 2015 at 4:10

1 Answer 1

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The recovery key absolutely isn’t stored locally by Apple, so you either need a safe place to store it where you won’t lose it or Apple will help store it for you to recover later when you choose to unlock the Mac by reading the key from iCloud.

  • in a nutshell, your iCloud password gets you your key back instead of you needing to choose where to store it (paper in a safe, 1Password app, word document, under the keyboard, screen capture of the image of your key on screen, etc...)
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  • Hey @bmike, I'm also interested in this. So if I ever need it, my Mac will prompt me for my iCloud password?
    – ralphjsmit
    Commented May 6, 2021 at 16:15
  • I’m not sure how to answer your question @ralphjsmit would you ask it on the site and link to my answer so we can follow the discussion.
    – bmike ♦
    Commented May 6, 2021 at 19:40

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